Nana Music

What Nana Music does

Nana Music (株式会社nana music) operates a smartphone-based music collaboration platform, centered on the 'nana' mobile application launched on iOS in August 2012 and Android in September 2014, that enables users worldwide to record, post and layer vocal/instrumental performances on top of other users' sound posts, creating collaborative musical content. The platform's core technical components include an audio collaboration engine that stacks user recordings, a 'Gift Function' (launched July 2020) that distributes tipping revenue across all co-creators of a sound post, a virtual-currency chip and point system, and complementary live features such as nana LIVE (audio live streaming, November 2021) and nana Party (group performance rooms, July 2019). The service is supported by direct copyright licensing agreements with JASRAC and NexTone, allowing users to legally perform the majority of the Japanese commercial music catalog, and has reached 10 million cumulative downloads and registered users across 100+ countries as of April 2021, with daily uploads historically in the 10,000–30,000 range and 500 million cumulative plays by December 2015.

The company monetizes through multiple consumer-facing streams: a freemium subscription called 'nana Premium' (launched October 2016, monthly auto-renewal), prepaid point purchases, in-app exchange content, gift/tipping revenue with platform share, and advertising. Its primary customer segments are individual amateur music enthusiasts—over 60% historically middle/high school students, with the user base skewing young—and a secondary B2B/vertical layer of music labels (Lantis, Yamaha/VOCALOID), karaoke operators (JOYSOUND, エクシング), instrument retailers (Shimamura Gakki), and AI/tech partners (Microsoft Japan's Rinna). Distribution is mobile-first via Apple App Store and Google Play, with an additional digital label (Nobody Records, established June 2022) and music academy ('cue', launched November 2019) extending the platform into artist development. The Japanese subsidiary was established in April 2013 with headquarters in Harajuku/Shibuya, Tokyo, after the original US entity (nana music, Inc., incorporated December 2011) was re-domiciled; the company became fully independent via an MBO from DMM.com in January 2021 and is led by founder and CEO Akinori Fumihara (文原明臣).

Name

Nana Music

Legal name

株式会社nana music

Website

https://nana-music.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Nana Music operates a smartphone-based music collaboration app that lets global users record, post and layer vocal performances to create collaborative music. It serves amateur singers (over 60% historically middle/high school students) and partners with music labels, karaoke operators and AI firms, monetizing via a freemium subscription, prepaid points, in-app content and gift tipping.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Collaboration Software

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)

akta.pro primary industry

Creator Tools & Monetization Platforms (Podcasts/Audio) (MPAIADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Creator Tipping, Donations & Micro-Payments (MPACAFAB), Cloud Collaboration & Remote Recording Platforms (MPAIAIAD), Micro-Licensing & Direct Licensing Platforms (UGC, SMB venues, online uses) (MPAIAKAJ)

Keywords

• Music collaboration platform
• Social music app
• Mobile music creation
• Audio recording software
• Creator economy platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. nana Premium Subscription: Paid subscription service with multiple usage plans providing enhanced features and benefits. Automatic renewal unless cancelled. Usage period can be monthly or other specified periods.
2. Point Sales: Sale of prepaid points (前払式支払手段) that users purchase to exchange for in-app content. Points have no expiration for paid (compensated) points but free campaign points expire in 30 days.
3. Exchange Content ( 引換コンテンツ): In-app content items purchased with points. These are platform-specific items with no cash redemption value.
4. Gift/Tipping Revenue: Users send gifts (投げ銭) to content creators, with revenue distributed among all co-creators of a sound. Revenue share model where platform takes a cut.
5. Advertising: Advertising business operating on the platform alongside the paid premium service

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Nana Music operates a free smartphone-based music collaboration social networking platform called "nana" that allows users to record, post, and layer audio performances to create collaborative music content with other users globally. The company monetizes the platform through a paid "nana Premium" subscription, in-app point purchases, virtual gift/tipping transactions distributed to co-creators, and advertising. It also operates a digital record label (Nobody Records), a music talent scouting academy (cue), and a metaverse karaoke product (nana-PartyOn) developed with XRSPACE.

Product overview

Nana Music operates a music collaboration platform centered around the 'nana' app, which is a music posting and collaboration social networking service. The core product 'nana' enables users worldwide to record, post, and collaborate on music together, supporting singing, instrument playing, and music creation. The platform is structured as a core free app with premium add-on modules including 'nana Premium' (paid membership), 'Gift Function' (creativity economy tipping), 'nana LIVE' (audio streaming), and 'nana Party' (group interaction). Sub-brands include 'cue' (talent scouting service), 'Nobody Records' (digital record label), and 'co-creation project' (artist development). The company also offers 'nanalan' (Lantis collaboration events) and 'nana-PartyOn' (metaverse karaoke via XRSPACE partnership).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• nanaプレミアム (nana Premium): Paid subscription service offering premium features including background playback and enhanced functionality
• nana LIVE
• nanaパーティー (nana Party)
• Nobody Records
• cue
• nanalan

Products and services

• nana A free music collaboration social networking mobile app that allows users to record, post, and collaboratively layer audio performances (singing, instruments) on top of other users' sound posts. The app supports global music collaboration, has reached over 10 million cumulative downloads and 100 million registered users across more than 100 countries, and is licensed with JASRAC and NexTone for music copyright.
• nana-PartyOn A metaverse karaoke app developed through strategic partnership with Taiwan-based XRSPACE, supporting nana's expansion into the Japanese metaverse karaoke market.
• cue (Music Academy) A free music talent scouting and vocal training academy service launched in November 2019, designed to discover undiscovered talent through the nana platform. The service provides voice training from registration through debut support for aspiring musicians.
• Nobody Records A digital record label established by nana music in June 2022, producing and releasing professional music in collaboration with pro creators like buzzG, with the aim of launching artists discovered through the nana platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10 million cumulative downloads worldwide (as of April 2021)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• XRSPACEmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 December 2022Strategic partnership with Taiwanese XR company for metaverse karaoke app 'nana-PartyOn'. Nana supports Japanese expansion of XRSPACE's metaverse karaoke product.
• Rakuten Music / TOKYO FM AuDeemajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 December 2022Collaboration to hold 'Rakuten Music所属第１弾次世代メジャー・シンガー発掘オーディション' (next-generation major singer discovery audition) with Rakuten Music and TOKYO FM's audio platform AuDee.
• Lantis (Music Label)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Ongoing collaboration with Lantis for anime song events and campaigns. Multiple online events and 'nanalan' monthly event series featuring Lantis artists.
• YamahamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Multiple collaborations including vocaloid voice bank development. Online audition 'Utau Nichimou! VOCALOID ni Nareru Audition' where winning user's voice became a VOCALOID voice bank.
• cue (Music Academy)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 November 2019Free talent scouting service launched to discover music talent through nana platform. Connected to voice training and potential artist debut opportunities.
• JOYSOUNDminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 31 July 2019Karaoke venue partnership offering premium members up to 9 hours of free karaoke per month at partnered karaoke stores.
• upd8 (Virtual Talent Agency)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 February 2019Partnership to provide nana music sources to virtual talents under the upd8 agency, expanding music content to VTuber ecosystem.
• Microsoft Japan (Rinna AI)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 January 2018AI singing collaboration project 'Rinna Utau Purojekuto'. nana provides voice data from users to train Microsoft's AI 'Rinna' in singing. Joint events like rap battles on nana platform.
• The Playing For Change FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2017US nonprofit partnership. Nana became partner for Playing For Change Day events held simultaneously in 50+ countries. Joint music collaboration projects planned.
• DeNA (SHOWROOM)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 December 2014Collaboration for virtual live space. First joint event was 'Shinshun nana Kouhaku Utagassen in SHOWROOM' combining nana's music community with DeNA's virtual streaming platform.
• 株式会社エクシング (Ekushingu)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 May 2013Partnership with karaoke equipment and content company. Started providing karaoke audio tracks to nana users from May 2013, enabling users to sing along with professional backing tracks.
• 岛村楽器 (Shimamura Gakki)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 January 2013Business partnership established January 2013.岛村楽器 is a major music instrument retailer in Japan. The partnership enabled nana to reach music enthusiasts who visit music stores, expanding user acquisition channels.
• JASRAC (日本音楽著作権協会)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 June 2012Copyright licensing agreement (JASRAC许诺番号: 9013489001Y31018, 9013489003Y38026). Allows nana to legally offer millions of copyrighted songs for users to perform and record. nana pays licensing fees on behalf of users.
• NexTone (株式会社NTTら)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 June 2012Copyright licensing agreement (NexTone许诺番号: ID000000539, ID000005411). Complementary licensing covering additional music rights managed by NexTone.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SoundCloud: SoundCloud is a leading audio-sharing platform used by independent musicians to upload, promote, and monetize music. It competes with nana for amateur/emerging creators seeking an audience and tools for distribution.
• Smule: Smule operates Sing! and other karaoke/collaboration apps, directly competing with nana in smartphone-based singing and social music creation. Both enable users to record, layer, and share performances globally, making Smule nana's closest functional comparable.
• BandLab: BandLab is a free, mobile-first music creation and collaboration platform used by amateur creators worldwide. It overlaps nana directly on social music creation, layering, and community features, with a comparable freemium monetization model.
• Audiomack: Audiomack is a free music streaming and uploading platform focused on independent and emerging artists. Comparable to nana in serving amateur creators, with overlapping distribution, discovery, and creator-monetization mechanics.

Emerging players

• Moises: Moises offers AI-powered music practice and creation tools, including stem separation and vocal processing used by amateur musicians. It overlaps nana's creator-tool positioning with a more recent AI-centric angle.
• LANDR: LANDR provides AI-powered music mastering, collaboration, and distribution tools for independent creators. It overlaps with nana on the creator-economy tooling layer, particularly for amateur-to-professional music production workflows.

Broad incumbents

• Spotify: Spotify is the dominant global audio streaming platform with an expanding creator-tools suite (Spotify for Artists, Soundtrap acquisition). It does not directly compete on amateur collaboration but captures the upstream music consumption and downstream monetization that nana's creators ultimately pursue.
• TikTok (ByteDance): TikTok has become the leading destination for short-form music performance videos and amateur creator discovery. It competes with nana for the same teen-and-young-adult amateur music creator demographic, with vastly superior distribution and recommendation.

Regional players

• JOYSOUND (Xing Inc.): JOYSOUND operates Japan's largest karaoke venue chain and is an existing nana partner. It represents the regional karaoke incumbent whose offline karaoke venue business overlaps with nana's karaoke-style singing and collaboration features.

Others

• YAMAHA (VOCALOID / Vocalo): Yamaha is both a nana partner (VOCALOID audition) and a broader music technology incumbent. Comparable because it spans music software, instruments, and synthetic voice — adjacent to nana's creator/music tooling category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nanamusicinc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/nanamusicinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/nana.music.inc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nana Music